1/25/10–What with weekly workshops and three therapy treatments a week  to re-align my tailbone, I have not been able to get to my blog, but want to report a pleasant bit of mail and more urging readers to submit,  submit, and submit.

My short story, "Peligro"  won first place ($300)  in a fiction contest staged by SSA (Society of Southwestern Writers,  based in Tucson) in 2007.  Authors retain rights to their work.  So I submitted it  early in 2009  to a contest in Missouri, put on by "Saturday Writers."  Last week I received a large envelope with the word "Congratulations" inscribed in ink  below my address. This was a nice surprise.  "Peligro" won 3rd place in their 2009 contest, and I am $25 richer.  "Peligro" has now earned me $325 and goes out this week to another contest.

I've mentioned before how different judges render totally opposing opinions.  What one "loves" another finds "wanting."     Don't take one rejection as the need to permanently bury your work.  Keep it on the road.–Willma